Refine search
Results 381-390 of 683
Eco Trauma: Unveiling the Anthropocentric Destruction, the Pathway to Apocalypse Full text
2024
Gajalakshmi G. and Meenakshi S.
Humans have evolved to the point where we are the most sophisticated animals in the world. The point of evolution is for creatures to become more suited to their natural habitat. A new degree of evolutionary adaption has been attained through humans. Massive technological advancements, new governments, and metropolises have all taken place. Every one of these societal advancements has one overarching goal: to ensure that our species continues to exist. As a species, we’ve figured out how to divide ourselves up into nations defined by shared values, religion, geography, and history. Divergences in geography, culture, and history have always been a source of contention among human beings. These disparities have, in the worst-case scenarios, led to war. Many various things, including religion and wealth, have sparked wars throughout history. War, though, never ends well; destruction is an inevitable byproduct. After a conflict, everyone is talking about how many lives were lost, how much property was destroyed, and how much money was spent. But the ecosystem is a quiet casualty of war. Seldom given a second thought are the deaths and devastation that befall Earth’s ecosystems, natural resources, and population. One can not help but question the impact of modern warfare on the environment and the consequences for humanity as a whole. The moral and social consequences of modern warfare’s assault on the environment can be seen by looking at the historical record of environmental degradation caused by this conflict. It is possible to learn about past and future efforts to safeguard the environment from human aggression by considering the problem from philosophical, scientific, and religious vantage points. If the Earth is to be further devastated by contemporary weaponry and combat, the loss endured by the environment will make the death toll of any contemporary battle appear negligible. The preservation of the natural world is crucial to the continuation of the human race.
Show more [+] Less [-]Assessing the Climate Change Impacts in the Jhelum Basin of North-Western Himalayas Full text
2024
R. Ahmed, S. Saleem, T. Shamim, S. Javaid, I. H. Malik, A. F. Rather, G. F. Wani, A. Bhat and T. A. Wani
Climate change, a critical global environmental crisis, profoundly impacts ecosystems, particularly in regions with delicate environmental balances. This study focuses on the Jhelum basin in the north-western Himalayas, examining the extensive effects of climate change on glaciers, snow cover, land use and land cover (LULC), land surface temperature (LST), water resources, and natural hazards. Rising temperatures have accelerated glacier melting and altered precipitation patterns, with significant implications for local water supplies and agriculture. The study analyses climate data from the Indian Meteorological Department (1990 to 2020), revealing increasing trends in both maximum and minimum temperatures, alongside variable precipitation trends across different locations. The retreat of glaciers and the expansion of glacial lakes have been observed, with lower-elevation glaciers showing the most significant reduction. LULC changes indicate a shift from agricultural land to settlements and horticulture, while LST has risen, particularly in urbanized areas, reflecting the impact of urbanization and climate change. Furthermore, the increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods and landslides, exacerbates the region’s vulnerability, threatening infrastructure, biodiversity, and local communities. The findings highlight the necessity of comprehensive, integrated approaches to address climate change and ensure the resilience of the Jhelum basin. This research contributes valuable insights into the region’s changing environmental dynamics, essential for informed decision-making and effective adaptation strategies in response to the ongoing climate crisis.
Show more [+] Less [-]Evaluating the Tolerance and Dust Capturing Capacity of Tree Species Affected by Coal Dust Polluted Area Full text
2024
Kamesh, Brijendra Pratap Singh, Shailly Misra and Ramesh
The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of any plant shows the tolerance capacity of plant against the air pollution. The present study exhibited the APTI and API of twenty-two trees present on the roadside coal dust-affected air pollution area of Chhal, Raigarh. APTI consists of the analysis of leaf extract pH, relative water content, total chlorophyll content, and ascorbic acid of leaves while the API consists of the APTI values of trees, morphological characteristics, and socio-economic attributes of trees. The leaf extract pH was observed to range from 6.61±0.11 - 3.28±0.11, relative water content from 95.4±0.4 - 83±0.89 %, total chlorophyll content from 1.16±0.06 - 0.385±0.04 mg g-1 and ascorbic acid from 30.54±0.67 - 10.61±0.84 mg g-1. The highest APTI was 30.88±0.75 for Tectona grandis while the lowest was observed 15.58±0.54 for Alstonia scholaris. The highest API value 93.75% for Shorea robusta and Ficus religiosa was observed. The maximum dust held by a tree on the leaf surface by Shorea robusta (3.18±0.09 mg cm-2) was recorded. Shorea robusta, Mangifera indica, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia ballerica, Ficus benghalensis, Anthocephalus cadamba, Ficus religiosa, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Madhuca indica, and Terminalia tomentosa are best performers among the selected tree species and suitable for the plantation of trees surrounding of air polluted zones.
Show more [+] Less [-]Deciphering Sustainable Product Preferences: Insights from Indian Consumer Behavior Full text
2024
Poorani G. and Banumathi M.
Consumer health and wellness are increasingly threatened by the deteriorating state of the environment, both locally and globally. Pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change are among the myriad environmental challenges that directly impact human well-being. From air and water pollution to the depletion of natural resources, these environmental issues have profound implications for public health, exacerbating respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and other health problems. In response to these environmental challenges, consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious in their purchasing decisions. They are seeking products and services that minimize harm to the environment, promote sustainability, and contribute positively to ecological conservation efforts. This shift in consumer preferences is driving the demand for sustainable products across various industries, including food and beverages, personal care, fashion, and household goods. Sustainable product marketing plays a critical role in addressing these consumer demands while also mitigating environmental impacts. By promoting products that are ethically sourced, eco-friendly, and produced using environmentally sustainable practices, businesses can align their operations with environmental conservation goals. This involves adopting eco-friendly packaging, reducing carbon emissions throughout the supply chain, and supporting renewable energy initiatives. In the context of the current study aiming to examine consumer purchasing patterns for sustainable products in India, the results offer valuable insights into the interplay between environmental consciousness, demographic factors, and consumer behavior. By delving into these dynamics, the study sheds light on the multifaceted influences that shape consumers’ decisions regarding sustainable products.
Show more [+] Less [-]Organic Farming: Emerging Practices, Effect on Environment and Nutrition Full text
2024
P. Kashyap and M. Jain
The global population surge has escalated the demand for food production. While conventional farming meets consumer demands, it often compromises food quality and safety. This method of agriculture has significant adverse effects on health and the environment, relying heavily on chemical fertilizers, costly seeds, and machinery. Conventional farming contributes to environmental degradation, food-borne illnesses, and soil infertility. In response to these issues, organic agriculture has gained prominence worldwide. The rising demand for organic products is driven by their nutritional and environmental benefits. Numerous studies have explored the advantages and disadvantages of various farming methods, comparing organic and conventional practices. This paper reviews the emerging impacts of organic farming on the environment and climate change and examines the nutritional differences and consumer preferences for vegetables produced by these two farming methods.
Show more [+] Less [-]Exploring the Nexus Between Urban Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) Changes and Urban Growth Analysis Using Geoinformatics in Tumkur City, India Full text
2024
A. Kishor Kumar, Govindaraju, C. J. Rakesh and S. Lokanath
For the past several decades, Tumkur has been one of the fastest-developing cities in Karnataka. Hence, an assessment concerning the identification of LULC mutations and their intensity and urban sprawl in Tumkur City has been employed using cutting-edge Geospatial techniques. In this study, multi-temporal satellite imagery such as Landsat 5 (2000), Resourcesat-1 (2005, 2009 & 2012), and Sentinel-2A (2015 & 2020) were utilized to monitor historical LULC changes, land transformation, direction of urban growth and sprawl. The outcome of the change detection demonstrates that between 2000 and 2020, the built-up area expanded significantly, from 24.94 km2 to 60.59 km2. Consequently, the land transformation matrix analysis shows that substantial modifications in LULC have occurred over the period, with a rise in built-up areas and plantations and a decline in agricultural land, water bodies, and scrubland. Further, urban expansion analysis using UEII (Urban Expansion Intensity Index) revealed that most of the area is in the fast-paced stage of urban expansion. Moreover, two well-known indices; the Annual Urban Spatial Expansion Index (AUSEI) and the Annual Built-up Change Index (ABCI), show a significant positive correlation between them (R2 = 0.69) justifying the increased urban growth in the study area. Whereas, built-up density and the Annual Urban Spatial Expansion Index (AUSEI) show a negative correlation (R2 = 0.55) indicating the presence of compactness of the core of the city. Apart from the above analysis, urban sprawl was effectively interpreted using zones formed using Shannon entropy; NNE, ESE, and SSW have high urban sprawl due to National Highways, growth of Industries, and infrastructure activities developed by the government. Further, the present study’s findings will contribute to understanding land use dynamics, urban sprawl, urban growth analysis, and future projections, as well as provide crucial information for decision-making and urban planning processes, to the urban planner to support acceptable land use management and guiding plan for appropriate growth of urban areas.
Show more [+] Less [-]Evaluation of the Photodegradation of Atrazine in the Presence of β-cyclodextrin Polymer: Experimental Design and Kinetic Study Full text
2024
O. S. Ayanda, S. O. Adewuyi, S. M. Yahaya, O. Adeyi, S. M. Nelana and M. J. Klink
The degradation of atrazine (ATZ) was studied in the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) under ultraviolet light irradiation. The β-CD was characterized by modern analytical techniques and the different operating parameters of photodegradation were investigated. Experimental results revealed irregular shapes in the structure of β-CD, and the functional groups of β-CD were present in the glucose units. The BET surface area of β-CD was 285.02 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.172 cc/g and a pore diameter of 2.138 nm, whereas, the x-ray diffraction analysis revealed the polycrystalline nature of β-CD. The z-average diameter of the particle size distribution was determined as 63.21 nm, thermogravimetric analysis data demonstrated weight loss events while the differential thermal analysis data revealed associated energy changes during phase transitions. The photodegradation of ATZ in the presence of β-CD resulted in 80.80% and 59.40% degradation, respectively, for 6.25 mg/L and 100 mg/L of ATZ after 60 min of irradiation time. The treatment method could be described by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model, with kc equals 0.1462 mgL-1min-1 and KLH equals 10.45 × 10-2 Lmg-1. Thus, photodegradation with β-CD as a catalyst could be effectively used for the remediation of pesticide-contaminated wastewater.
Show more [+] Less [-]Chlorella vulgaris – A Potential Biodiesel Feedstock’s Effect on the Performance, Emission and Combustion Phenomenon of a CI Engine with Hydrogen Inductance Full text
2024
S. Pughazhraj, D. Balaji, V. Hariram, R. Kumaraswamy, J. Godwin John, P. Naveen and T. S. Ravikumar
In the modern world, the rise of industrialization and motorization has significantly increased the use of internal combustion engines powered by petroleum products. This has led to the unsustainable exploitation and depletion of petroleum reserves. Consequently, the use of biodiesel-based biofuels, particularly those derived from microorganisms, along with gaseous fuel supplementation in internal combustion engines, has gained prominence. The urgent need to explore alternative fuels for combustion engines has become evident over the past few decades due to the rapid decline in fossil fuel reserves. This study examines the impact of hydrogen induction in the throttle body of a CI engine powered by blends of biodiesel from Chlorella vulgaris and mineral diesel in various proportions, without major engine modifications. The research aims to evaluate the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of the engine when supplemented with hydrogen, biodiesel, and their blend B20. The experiments involve varying fuel compositions and engine operational parameters to assess their influence on efficiency, pollutant emissions, and combustion stability.
Show more [+] Less [-]A Comprehensive Review on the Role of Bioremediation in Heavy Metal Contamination Full text
2024
Princy Rajput, Shashank Benjwal and Rohit Pandey
Heavy metal contamination, along with other pollutants, presents significant environmental hazards. These substances not only endanger human health but also disrupt natural ecosystem. Bioremediation emerges as a sustainable and economically viable approach to tackling pollution. It harnesses the capabilities of microorganisms, plants, and their enzymes to degrade or neutralize pollutants. This paper categorizes bioremediation into two primary types: ex-situ and in-situ. Ex-situ bioremediation treats contaminated material away from its original location, while in-situ bioremediation addresses contamination directly at the site. This paper also explores how microbes tolerate heavy metals through various mechanisms. These mechanisms encompass extracellular barriers, efflux pumps, enzymatic reduction, and intracellular sequestration. Extracellular barriers function to block the entry of metals into the cell, whereas efflux pumps work actively to expel metals from the cell. Enzymatic reduction facilitates the conversion of metals into less harmful forms, while intracellular sequestration involves storing metals within the cell. Moreover, the paper examines diverse applications of bioremediation in environmental restoration. These applications encompass natural attenuation, enhanced reductive dechlorination, sewage treatment, bioleaching, biosorption, constructed wetlands, biostimulation, and bioaugmentation. This paper emphasizes the need for further research to optimize bioremediation technologies for broader real-world environmental management applications.
Show more [+] Less [-]Design and Impact Analysis of a Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic System in Ibri, Oman Full text
2024
Arshad Mehmood and Waleed Saif Abdullah Habib Al Kalbani
This study investigates the feasibility of establishing a grid-connected power system in Ibri, Oman. The primary goal is to address the rising energy demands and contribute to fighting climate change. By leveraging Ibri’s resources, the research highlights the feasibility of such a system, focusing on its economic, technological, and environmental benefits. Using PVsyst software for planning and evaluation, the study assesses climate conditions, component choices, and performance predictions to ensure optimal system performance. The proposed 10.81 kWp solar power system estimates an energy production of 16,981 kWh, achieving a system efficiency of 67.2% based on the performance ratio (PR). The financial analysis estimates a payback period of 7.5 to 8.3 years, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 11.15% and a net present value (NPV) of $32,024.28, confirming the project’s viability. The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 379.939 tons over its lifetime, highlighting the significant ecological benefits of adopting solar energy (SE). The research demonstrates that incorporating PV systems in regions like Ibri is technically viable, economically beneficial, and environmentally advantageous. This study is a valuable resource for energy initiatives, promoting sustainable power production methods and encouraging the broader adoption of renewable technologies for a sustainable future.
Show more [+] Less [-]